St Mary's Staff 2023
Meet the Team
TIKA MĀRAMATANGA (NEW ENTRANT TO YEAR 3)
Louisa Strange
I have been teaching for the past 18 years in both New Zealand and England. I am married to Tim and we have three children, Evelyn and Peter attend St Mary's currently. Our youngest, Katie, will start next year. I have had a long association with St Mary’s as an 'old girl' of the school. I am looking forward to teaching in Tika Team again in 2023 and supporting a new group of learners as they begin their school journey within our fantastic St Mary's Community
Trina Fraser
I have taught New Entrants at St Mary’s over the last two years and enjoyed my time teaching Year 3s in 2021. I am excited to be teaching in Tika again next year. I aim to make each child’s school experience a positive one: a place where they grow, not only in learning but in their relationships with others and God. I currently live on a lifestyle block with my husband, James, three children, lots of animals and a long job list. I look forward to meeting you in the coming year.
Janine Goldsmith
I have been associated with Saint Mary’s School as a teacher and parent since 1994. I have been the Saint Mary’s School Special Education Needs Coordinator for the last ten years. I love working with junior students and it is exciting witnessing the holistic gains that they make at this level. I am looking forward to working with you and your child in 2023.
Adele Mayall
I have loved teaching at St Mary’s for the past 5 years and I am very excited to be working in Maramatanga next year. I am a qualified Speech-Language Therapist. My previous work involved assisting classroom teachers to plan, and teach children with communication and learning difficulties. I am passionate about ensuring all children have equal opportunities to learn. It is a pleasure to be able to watch and support students to grow and learn in many different areas. I am looking forward to working with you and your child in 2023.
Nikki Turner
I am very excited to be joining the St Mary’s team next year. I have been teaching for many years, mainly in Hamilton and have been at Papamoa Primary for the last 3 years as the New Entrant teacher. I have two adult children, Callum and Sarah and a miniature black schnauzer called Gus. Down time is walking along the beach with Gus, in my garden or just recently I’ve taken up playing golf. Literacy is my strength, followed by a sense of humour. I believe happy kids learn so my classroom is a positive happy place to be. I’m looking forward to meeting you all next year.
Carmel King
2021 was my first year at St Mary's School, teaching in Year 2 after shifting from Auckland in 2020. In my 40 odd years of teaching I have predominantly taught at Catholic or Private schools, as the values taught align with mine and they become warm, welcoming places to teach and thrive in. I have over the years been a DRS, Dean and Deputy Principal/SENCo, but am now enjoying my time back in the grass roots of teaching - in the classroom. I am a mum of 3 grown children and Nanny to 4.. Being involved in the journey of children and their learning is a passion for me, that I feel honoured and humbled to be part of. I look forward to meeting my class for 2023 and watch these young ones flourish as learners too.
Randy Piceno
Kia ora. I have been teaching at St. Mary’s for over 18 years. Through that time I have taught from Year 2 through Year 6. This year I will be working in the Māramatanga team. I am looking forward to the new and exciting changes to our learning and teaching environments. Additionally, I am looking forward to working with you and your child next year.
Angela Cochrane
This will be my sixth year at St Mary’s School. I have taught throughout NZ, but most of my career has been in the Tauranga area. I am married to Andy who teaches at Matua School and we have two adult children and two grandsons. I’m looking forward to teaching in Y2-3 in 2023 and will continue to foster the relationships I’ve formed with the children and parents.
Noeleen Kenny
Kia ora. I am originally from Ireland and have been living in New Zealand for the past 17 years. I am married to Glen and have a 13 year old daughter and a 11 year old son. I have been teaching for many years. I spent over 20 years working in Early Childhood Education before undertaking additional training in order to move into the Primary sector. I have been involved with St. Mary’s for nearly eight years, first as a parent and volunteer and now as a teacher. I look forward to learning alongside your children in 2023.
Joanne Meehan
Kia ora, I am delighted to continue sharing my passion for teaching and learning at St Mary’s with Year 2 and 3 students next year. This will be my thirteenth year teaching at St Mary’s. I have taught New Entrants to Year 6 and in early childhood. I am the staff representative on our PTA (Parent Teacher Association), a great team of school parents who help make our learning environment the fabulous place it is. I have two adult children and one grandchild. I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning ahead and meeting you all early next year.
WHAKAPONO AROHA TEAM (YEAR 4 TO 6)
Suzanne Tanner
I have been teaching in Catholic Schools for a very long time and am passionate about growing your child’s faith life and love of God. I believe every student should be given the opportunity to an education that they remember as a wonderful learning journey, as well as having fun times. Students in my class are always expected to do their very best academically, socially, physically and culturally. We work hard and play hard. I look forward to working with your child in 2023.
Lisa Walter
I have been teaching at St Mary’s in the middle and senior school for many years now. I enjoy helping students build confidence and take challenges in their learning and most importantly develop a love for learning. My husband Ben and I have two boys, aged 2 and a half and 8. I am privileged to be a part of our supportive and caring school community. I look forward to meeting you and your child in 2023.
Catherine Wood
For those of you who don’t know me, my teaching background involves a long and wonderful association with St Mary’s School. In that time, I’ve taught a wide range of classes from New Entrants to Year 6 and I’m very excited about teaching Year 4 & 5 next year. I feel very privileged to be a teacher in this fantastic learning community and I am really looking forward to working with you and your child in 2023.
Debbie Anderson
I recently made the move to the beautiful Tauranga region from Hamilton, where I have been teaching for many years. Teaching and learning is a passion of mine, and this year I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a part of the Tika teaching team. This confirmed for me that St. Mary’s Catholic School is an awesome place to be! I am looking forward to joining the Whakapono Year 4/5 team in 2023, working alongside and supporting my students in their learning journeys.
danderson@stmarystga.school.nz
Megan Akkerman
I have taught at St Mary’s for several years now and feel very privileged to be at this wonderful school. I am the team leader of the senior school and I am looking forward to nurturing your child to be the best they can be. My husband Mike and I have two children Ella and Rose. Building connections with Aroha whanau in 2023, is something I am looking forward to.
Gerardine Robbie
I have been teaching at St Mary’s for several years now, and have taken advantage of many professional development opportunities to improve my practice and keep up to date with current educational thinking. My husband Ian and I have four children and two grandchildren.
I am passionate about learning and teaching collaboratively and am very excited to be working again in the Aroha Learning Team. I am looking forward to working with you and your child next year.
Annette Laban
I have taught at St Mary’s for several years now and have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside professional colleagues, and continuing to learn more about the Catholic faith. I am married to Len and our son Corban has just completed his first year at Victoria University in Wellington. I am passionate about encouraging a culturally responsive environment where we can all feel a sense of belonging in a safe place. I look forward to learning more about your child and working with you next year.
Josh McCabe
I am very excited to be teaching at St Mary’s in 2022 and I am looking forward to continuing teaching in the Aroha Learning Hub. I have very quickly found myself at home here in the Bay of Plenty and I look forward to spending a lot more time enjoying the beaches here. I enjoy keeping active, playing squash and cricket during their respective seasons. I am passionate about making learning fun and engaging, and I look forward to having a happy, fun year with the Year 5/6 students this year.
Megan Kelliher
Kylie McIntosh
I have been part of the St. Mary’s family for several years and I’m thrilled to be working alongside Megan Kelliher again in 2023. I love biking, the beach, and exploring the outdoors with my husband Daniel and our three children Spencer 10, Cooper 8, and Harriet 5. I love to inspire creativity and curiosity in my students and help them to grow in confidence and achieve their goals. I am proud of my Australian heritage and Catholic Faith. I look forward to working with you and your child in 2023.
Amber Armstrong
James Murray
Lisa Broadmore
Fay Warnock
Donna Vincent
Learning Support Coordinator
Kellie Low
Megan Wills
Nicola Meehan
Lani Craib
Denise Radley
Mike Dunston
Macy Brady
Contact Macy
Michelle Green
Rachel Parry
Debbie Nowell
Aden Turner
Karen Mulhern
Theresa Dunston
2023 Term Dates
Term 1 - Thursday 2 February - Thursday 6 April
Monday 6 February - Waitangi Day
Parent Conferences;
Wednesday 15th March, 3.15 pm-6.15 pm
Thursday 16th March 1.00 pm-6 pm. SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12PM Thursday 16th March.
There will be NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE OR AFTERNOON BUSES ON THIS DAY.
Term 2 - Wednesday 26 April - Friday 30 June
Monday 24 April - TEACHER ONLY DAY
Tuesday 25 April - Anzac Day
Monday 5 June - King’s Birthday
Tuesday 6 June-KAHUI AKO TEACHER ONLY DAY
Term 3 - Monday 17 July - Friday 22 September
Parent Conferences
Wednesday 19th July, 3.15 pm-6.15 pm
Thursday 20th July 1.00 pm-6 pm. SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12PM Thursday 20th July.
There will be NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE OR AFTERNOON BUSES ON THIS DAY.
Term 4 - Monday 9 October - Wednesday 20 December
Monday 23 October - Labour Day
Friday 10 November-TEACHER ONLY DAY
Parent Conferences
Wednesday 6th December, 3.15 pm-6.15 pm
Thursday 7th December 1.00 pm-6 pm. SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12PM Thursday 7th December.
There will be NO AFTER SCHOOL CARE OR AFTERNOON BUSES ON THIS DAY.
Please support our Gold Group Sponsors
Contact Us
Email: office@stmarystga.school.nz
Website: https://www.stmarystga.school.nz/
Location: 11 Thirteenth Avenue, Tauranga South, Tauranga 3112, New Zealand
Phone: +64 7 578 8066
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmarystga/